A group of business leaders have offered their support to the Prime Minister’s vision for a new relationship with Europe
They, including a number of Chief Executives from a wide range of industries, said that the Prime Minister’s plan for a reformed relationship with Europe gave Britain the ‘best chance of success’.
In a letter (below) to the Timesnewspaper, the group stressed that the proposals put Britain on the right track: ‘Now is our chance to reform the EU from within. The Prime Minister is right. This is a European policy that will be good for business and good for jobs in Britain.’
The message was delivered on the day that David Cameron set out his commitment to the UK maintaining its position as a full, committed and active member of the EU and the Single Market.
The Prime Minister said tonight that he was ‘delighted’ with the level of business support.
Sir,
As business leaders we are passionate about this country’s growth and prosperity. Britain is a trading nation and we agree with the Prime Minister that our best chance of success is as part of a reformed Europe. We need a new relationship with the EU, backed by democratic mandate.
Over recent years business has seen more and more burdens from Brussels. And the promise of a true single market in Europe has not yet been fully realised.
The euro crisis has created the circumstances for a new EU settlement.This is the moment to push for a more competitive, flexible and prosperous European Union that would bring more jobs and growth for all member states. That means finally completing the Single Market and quashing the culture of endless bureaucracy and red tape.
Now is our chance to reform the EU from within. The Prime Minister is right. This is a European policy that will be good for business and good for jobs in Britain.
This letter is signed in a personal capacity.
John Ayton Chairman, Bremont Watch Company
Sir Anthony Bamford Chairman, JCB
Sir John Beckwith Chairman, Pacific Investments
Samir Brikho Chief Executive, AMEC
William Butler-Adams Managing Director, Brompton Bicycles
Stephen Catlin Chief Executive, Catlin Group Limited
Ian Cheshire Chief Executive, Kingfisher plc
Andrew Coppel Chief Executive, De Vere Group
Gerald Corbett Chairman, Betfair, moneysupermarket.com and Britvic
Mick Davis Chief Executive, Xstrata
Philip Dilley Chairman, Arup
Paul Drechsler Chief Executive, Wates Group
Ralph Findlay Chief Executive, Marston’s
Rupert Gavin Chief Executive, Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group
Ben Gordon Non Executive Director, Britvic
Michael Gutman Chief Executive, Westfield Group (UK & Europe)
Lord Harris Chairman, Carpetright
Aidan Heavey Chief Executive, Tullow Oil
Robert Hiscox Chairman, Hiscox
Brent Hoberman Chairman, made.com
Sebastian James Chief Executive, Dixons Retail plc
Luke Johnson Chairman, Risk Capital Partners
Andrew Law Chairman and Chief Executive, Caxton Associates
Lord Leach Chairman, Open Europe
Alistair McGeorge Chairman, New Look
Jon Moulton Chairman, Better Capital
Charlie Mullins Chief Executive, Pimlico Plumbers
Jamie Murray Wells Chairman, Glasses Direct
John Nelson Chairman, Hammerson and Lloyds of London
Richard Nichols Chief Executive, College Group
Tim Oliver Chairman and Founder, Hampden Holdings
David Ord Managing Director, The Bristol Port Company
Alan Parker Chairman, Brunswick
Sir John Peace Chairman, Burberry, Experian and Deputy Chairman, Standard Chartered
Tony Pidgely Chairman, Berkeley Group Holdings
Sir John Ritblat Chairman, Delancey
Nick Robertson Chief Executive Officer, ASOS
Sir Simon Robertson Chairman, Rolls Royce and Deputy Chairman, HSBC
Xavier Rolet Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange
Sir Stuart Rose Chairman, Blueway
Joanna Shields Chief Executive, Tech City Investment Organisation
Michael Spencer Chief Executive, ICAP
Tim Steiner Chief Executive and Founder, Ocado Group
James Townshend Chief Executive, Velcourt Group
Ted Tuppen Chief Executive, Enterprise Inns
Moni Varma Chairman and Managing Director, Veetee
Paul Walsh Chief Executive, Diageo
Robert Walters Chief Executive, Robert Walters
Joseph Wan Chief Executive, Harvey Nichols
Tom Wells Vice Chairman, Charles Wells Pub Co
Nick Wheeler Chief Executive, Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts
Bob Wigley Chairman, Stonehaven
Charles Wigoder Chairman, Utility Warehouse
Lord Wolfson Chief Executive, Next plc